to get an idea vs to have an idea

Both 'to get an idea' and 'to have an idea' are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They are interchangeable in many contexts, but 'to get an idea' may imply the process of obtaining an idea, while 'to have an idea' suggests the possession or existence of an idea.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 4222 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to get an idea"

This phrase is used when someone is trying to understand or form a concept or notion. It implies the process of obtaining an idea.

Examples:

Let me think about it and see if I can get an idea for the project.
I need to get an idea of what the client is looking for before I start designing.
She couldn't get an idea of how to solve the problem until she talked to her mentor.

Show examples from the web [+]

I recently met a producers' organisation to get an idea about what they were prepared to do, and we are also going to hold a meeting between them and our business forum to see what they can bring to our structural response strategy.
To get an idea of how tiny it is, I have here an eyedropper.
Holding a crying baby, trying to get an idea when my wife would get out of surgery.
Just trying to get an idea what's out there, you know?
I think I'm beginning to get an idea of why you're having so much trouble getting this business off the ground.
To get an idea of the value of the things in the old currency at any stage of calculations.
And to get an idea of what it consisted of, and to put it in context in relationship to this whole second myth about it being no big thing, we can look at this second slide here.
People were starting to get an idea that dinosaurs were special.
You can have a look in your father's to get an idea of what to put in.
We're talking to everyone who knew Miss Jenkins, trying to get an idea of her movements over the last week or so.
Just trying to get an idea Of where that energy burst came from.
We need to get an idea, fast, of how much this thing bleeds.
I'm not sure I'm beginning to get an idea.
We just wanted to get an idea of what was involved.
I'm still trying to get an idea for the ballet.
I was trying anything to get an idea of the mystery man, so I analyzed the strontium isotope composition of his teeth.
I'd like to show it real quick to Marvin, just to get an idea of what he thinks.
You need to multiply those EUR 146 million by approximately eight in order to get an idea of what the impact could be.
To come with me to get an idea of the situation
"And that only because of the lighting,"in order to get an idea of the seasons.

Alternatives:

to come up with an idea
to form an idea
to develop an idea
to conceive an idea
to brainstorm an idea

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to have an idea"

This phrase is used when someone already possesses or holds a concept or notion in their mind. It implies the existence of an idea.

Examples:

I already have an idea for the new marketing campaign.
Do you have any idea how to fix this issue?
She always seems to have great ideas for our team meetings.

Show examples from the web [+]

I seemed to have an idea why all of this was happening.
but it's even worse to have an idea of what it is you want and find out at the end of a journey, that it isn't, in fact, what you wanted all along.
The Council must be able to have an idea as to what extent this was the intention of the directive, i.e. that you could prevent boyfriends from meeting their girlfriends and old couples from visiting their summer cottages in this way.
You're old enough to have an idea.
Got it right here, just to have an idea of how much it actually is.
You've yet to have an idea.
He does seem to have an idea as to who did do it, but he won't give us a name.
I am only trying to understand, to have an idea.
As has appeared evident from this debate, everyone seems to have an idea about what others think.
But who said we had to have an idea?
However, it is also important to have an idea of the social sustainability of what we are buying.
We have said to you before that, having checked that implementation has been carried out in Member States, we are then virtually dependent on complaints or letters from citizens to have an idea of whether something is going wrong.
Do you happen to have an idea who the U.S. Attorney's snitch might've been? Snitch?

Alternatives:

to possess an idea
to hold an idea
to be aware of an idea
to be in possession of an idea
to be familiar with an idea

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to get an idea vs to have an idea

"to get an idea"

"to have an idea"

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